Underwater floodlight fixture

ABSTRACT

An underwater electric light fixture which includes an elongated transparent tube sealed at each end and provided with an electric bulb positioned therein. Each end of the bulb is received in an adjustable socket located at opposed axial ends of the transparent tube. Widely spaced apart connectors attached to the outer ends of opposed bulb sockets allow replacement of the entire light fixture by a simple unplugging action without power shutoff and without arcing between the unplugged connectors. An external reflective member may be provided adjacent the transparent tube to enhance visibility.

United States Patent 1 1 3,569,692

[72] Inventors Louis A. Johnson 1,377,480 5/1921 Henschel 240/11.2EP 350B Kern St.; 3,277,424 1966 Nelson 339/94 William C. Ramsey, 3030 MercedPlace, FOREIGN PATENTS Oxnard, Calif. 93030 64 941 2 9 [21] pp No701,357 7, l /l 50 Great Britain 240/114 [22] Filed Jam 29 19681,112,206 8/1961 Germany 240/26 Patented Mar. 9, 1971 PrimaryExaminer-John M. l-loran Assistant ExaminerRobert P. GreinerAttorneys-Q. Baxter Warner, George J. Rubens and Gayward [54] UNDERWATERFLOODLIGHT FIXTURE N M 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 240/26,

339/94 ABSTRACT: An underwater electric light fixture which in- Int. Cl.eludes an elongated transparent tube sealed at ea h e d and Field ofSearch provided with an electric bulb positioned therein. Each end of v24 213 the bulb is received in an adjustable socket located at opposedaxial ends of the transparent tube. Widely spaced apart con- [56]References cued nectors attached to the outer ends of opposed bulbsockets UNITED STATES PATENTS allow replacement of the entire lightfixture by a simple un- 629,291 7/1899 Hall Jr. &Burdick 240/26 pluggingaction without power shutoff and without arcing 1,895,887 1/1933 Lorenz240/47 between the unplugged connectors. An external reflective2,525,013 10/1950 Baumgartner. 240/47(X) member may be provided adjacentthe transparent tube to 2,928,934 3/1960 Atkin 240/3 enhance visibility.

mm Om ATTORNEYS PATENTEU IIAR 9 ISYI SHEET 1 0F 2 PATENTED MAR 912m sum2 UP 2 UNDERWATER FLOODLIGIIT FIXTURE The invention described herein maybe manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United Statesof America for governmental purposes without the payment of anyroyalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates in general to lighting devices and in particular to a highintensity underwater floodlight fixture. Because underwater visibilityis ordinarily so poor such floodlights are widely used in underwaterphotography.

2..Description of the Prior Art Previous underwater electric lights havegenerally required that the power thereto be shut off prior todisconnecting and installing a new light should this ever becomenecessary, such as in the event of a burnout, breakage, cleaning, etc.However, with the advent of the present invention, such time-consumingand dangerous procedures are obviated since the light of the presentinvention can be quickly and safely disconnected, and a new lightpositioned in place thereof while still under water and without powershutoff.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION In general, a light fixture as contemplated bythis invention comprises a light having a strong tubular transparentprotective enclosure'sealed at the ends. In order to provide highintensity illuminationthe light operates on 110-120 volts AC and isdesigned to be replaced under water without shutting off the powersource by unplugging widely spaced electrical connectors located atopposite ends of the light. A light reflector is placed on the outsideof the watertight enclosure providing a greater angle of lightreflection and area of light coverage than is obtained by othercommercial lights.

Accordingly an object of the invention is to provide a deep underwaterlight fixture that is adapted to be replaced without power shutoff.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a deep underwater lightfixture having the light enclosed by a sealed watertight transparentenclosure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a deep underwater lightfixture having connectors positioned on the opposed ends thereof wherebythe light fixture may be safely replaced without undesirable powerarcing between disconnected' electrical connectors.

A further object of the invention is to provide a deep underwater lightfixture in which the light reflector is placed outside the watertightenclosure giving a better area of light coverage than was obtainableheretofore by prior art devices.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, deepunderwater light fixture having standard commercially availablecomponents therein.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following'detailed description of the inventionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view,partially in section of one embodiment of the invention.

F IG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 takenalong a-line substantially corresponding to line 2-2 of F IG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings indetail, there is shown in FIG. l. a partial sectional view of thepresent light fixture indicated in i s entirety by reference numeral 10.It includes an elongate transparent tube 12 having slightly flared ortapered ends 13 which is centrally positioned between two parallel endplates or bulkheads 14. A gasket type O-ring I6 is provided between theflared ends 13 of said tube 12 and the bulkheads 14 which have suitablegrooves therein in order to receive the -ring gasket 16 and therebyprovide a sealing relationship therebetween.

A pair of spaced triangularly shaped flanges 18 are positioned aroundthe opposed flared ends 13 oftube H2 in the manner shown in FIG. ll.They each have a large central opening which is tapered to substantiallythe same angle. as the flared tube ends 13, and it is to be noted thatthe interior diameter 20 of each flange 18 is slightly larger than theoutside diameter of the flared tube ends 13. This design permits easyassembly and also facilitates removal of the tube 12 from the .flange 18should' this ever become necessary. A correspondingly tapered softinsert or gasket 28 may be placed between the flanges l8 and the flaredtube ends 13 to cushion the tube 12 and permit a better contact.

The three parallel rods 22, 24 and 26 each being threaded at theiropposed ends extend through the opposed flanges 18 and the opposedbulkheads 14 in the manner shown best .in FIG. I. The two rods 22 and 24are positioned just above tube 12 in substantially the same planewhereas rod 26 is positioned immediately below tube 12. The nuts 30threaded on each rod 22, 24 and 26 hold the flanges 18 in spaced apartposition whereas the nuts 32 also threaded on the aforesaid rods 22, 24and 26 hold the bulkheads 14 in proper position. It is to be noted thatduring submersion the watertight seal between the flared ends 13 of tube12 and the bulkheads 14 with the O-ring gasket 16 therebetween isenhanced by the hydrostatic pressure against the bulkheads.

An electric bulb,34 having elongated opposed ends 36 and 38 respectivelyis axially positioned in the tube 12. Each end 36 and 38 is received inan adapter or socket 40 in at least one of which a spring assembly 42 ispositioned. The aforesaid bulb 34 is a standard commercially availableelongate photoflood lamp of about 1,000 watts capacity and havingceramic tips at each supporting a button which makes contact throughsaid spring assembly to be later described. An example of the type ofbulb utilized in this invention is the Sylvania Sun Gun, type DXN 3400K, V. The bulb 34 normally operates on 1 10-120 volts AC.

In referring to FIG. ll, it will be seen that a male connecting assembly44 is threaded substantially through the center of the opposed bulkheads14. Each connecting assembly 44 has a tip portion 46 which extendsbeyond the external surface of the respective bulkheads 14 while anonconductive plastic threaded portion 48 thereof extends slightly intothe respective ends 13 of tube 12. An adapter or socket 40 is threadedonto portion 48 of each connecting assembly 44 and is designed toreceive the ends 36 and 38 respectively of bulb 34.

The spring assembly 42 as state previously is positioned within at leastone adapter 40. It involves a pair of spring seats 50 with a spring 52positioned therebetween. A contact wire 54 extends longitudinallybetween the spring 52 and is attached to connecting assembly 44 at oneend and soldered to the spring seat 50 at the internal end against whichone end 36 of the bulb 34 is positioned in electrical contactrelationship. The opposed adapter or socket 40 designed to receive theopposed end 38 of bulb 34 is either similarly constructed with a springassembly 42 therein or is of a standard commercial type well known inthe art. Thus, it is seen that to replace a bulb 34, one of thebulkheads 14 is removed from its fixed position on rods 22, 24 and 26 byunthreading nuts 32. Since each connector assembly 44 is positioned in abulkhead l4 and is attached to an adapter 40, the removal of bulkhead 14will also remove adapter 40 and free one-end 36 of the bulb 3a. Theopposite end 38 of the aforesaid bulb 40 is then removed from theremaining adapter 40 and a new bulb 34 is then inserted. The adapter 40with bulkhead 14 is replaced.

The connecting assemblies 44 positioned in the opposed bulkheads 14 areeach adapted to fit in a female connector '56 leading to a power sourcenot shown in the drawings. It will be noted that the electrical contactin the commercially obtainable female connector 56 is deeply recessedtherein thereby forcing the male connecting assemblies 44 to be deeplyinserted before electrical contact is accomplished. This arrangementprevents any arcing in spite of the presence of up to 120 volts ACcurrent thereby permitting the light fixture to be easily replaced whilestill under water by merely disconnecting the aforesaid connections 44and 56 and inserting a new fixture. When the male connecting assembly 44and female connector 56 are reapplied, the pointed male prongs 62 ofconnecting assembly 44 penetrate deeply into said connector 56 andreestablish electrical connection so that the entire disconnection orreconnection operation can be accomplished.

without any hazard of electrical shock.

parallel with tube 12 but exterior thereto. it is to be noted that v byplacing the reflector outside the watertight tube 12, an improved angleof light reflection and area of light coverage is obtained. Anotheradvantage of the external location of the reflector is that it does notinterfere with the circulation of cooling water around the outside ofthe relatively even heated glass tube 12.

A pair of triangularly shaped bracket support units 60 shown best inFIG. 3 are positioned exteriorly and adjacent to opposed bulkheads l4and are mounted on each rod 22 and 24 as they extend through thebulkheads where they are held in position by the nuts 32. A mountingbracket 68 placed over the reflector 58 is bent at right angles at eachend and is suitably attached to the top of each bracket support 60 byany feasible means 64 such as a nut and bolt arrangement. There arenumerous other arrangements and devices which can be employed to suitany type of mounting installation.

Thus, it can be seen the invention provides a means for replacing anunderwater light fixture and at the same time pro vides for increasedillumination.

In the overall assembly of the fixture 1.0, it has been found preferableto first insert the flared end 13 into the angled flange l8 and thenapply the gasket 28. This is done at both ends of the device andthereafter nuts are adjusted to spread flanges 18 apart and slightlycompress gaskets 28 to hold them in place. The O-ring gaskets 16 arethen addedto seal the ends of tube 12. Thereafter the external nuts 32are adjusted and tightened evenly in sequence at about onequarter turnat a time keeping a close watch upon the O-ring gaskets 16 which whensufficiently compressed maintain the parts in hydraulic sealingrelationship. In handling the lamp 34, a cleaning tissue or similarmaterial should be utilized to prevent finger oil from contact with thequartz glass from which the bulb 34 is manufactured. The quartz becomesvery hot when used and any contamination such as oil from the fingersmight cause the bulb 34 to break. It should also be noted that whereeverpossible stainless steel fittings and aluminum alloy structures shouldbe separated to prevent probable electrolytic deterioration thereof whensubjected to salt water immersion. Thus, washers 66 should be placedbetween the stainless steel nuts 30 and the aluminum alloy flange l8,and zinc chromate paste or equivalent should be liberally applied on thethreads of rods 22, 24 and 26.

It is emphasized that the novel invention described herein whilesupplying a desperate need in the art is still cheap to manufacture andis relatively small and light in weight as compared to prior art devicesthus facilitating its use when submerged.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. A light fixture intended for underwater use and designed while at thesame time protecting the individual making the substitutlon orreplacement from the possibility of arcing or electrical shock while soengaged, said fixture comprising in combination:

a lamp-of elongated configuration;

a generally tubular member enclosing said lamp, said tubular memberhaving outwardly-flared ends and being composed of a material throughwhich a substantial proportion of the light rays emitted by said lampmay pass;

pair of plates disposed in parallel spaced-apart relationship andrespectively closing the flared ends of said tubular member in such amanner. as to form a watertight seal, each plate of saidpair having anopening therein aligned with the axis of said elongated lamp;

a pair of triangularly-shaped flanges each having a central openingtherein, said flanges being positioned to respectively encircle theflared ends of said tubular member, and with the opening in each flangebeing internally configured to conform to the surface portion of saidtubular member proximate thereto and with the minimum diameter of eachflange opening being greater than the maximum outer diameter of theflared end of the tubular member with which it is associated;

a pair of compressible inserts respectively lying between said flangesand the surface portion of the tubular member proximate thereto;

a plurality of threaded rods interconnecting said plates and disposedparallel to one another and to the axis of said tubular member; v

a plurality of nuts associated with said rods and respectivelyreceivable thereon, whereby a tightening of said nuts acts to urge saidplates toward their respective ends of said tubular .member and enhancethe watertight seal therebetween;

each of said rods also passing through aligned openings i said pair offlanges;

additional nuts associated with said rods and respectively receivablethereon adjacent said pair of flanges, whereby .a tightening of saidadditional nuts compresses said inserts and urges said flanges towardtheir respective adjacent plates;

a light reflector of concave configuration located exterior to saidtubular member and supported by at leastone of said threaded rods so asto extend in a direction generally parallel to that of both said lampand to the tubular member within which such lamp is enclosed;

a pair of electrical connecting assemblies each having a portion passingthrough one of the aligned openings in said pair of plates so as toproject into said tubular member;

a pair of adapters within said tubular member and respectively carriedon the inwardly-projecting ends of said connecting assemblies, eachadapter of said pair having an axial opening into which one end of saidelongated lamp is receivable so as to make electrical contract with itsrespective connecting assembly; 1

each connecting assembly of said pair being made up of a firstelectrical contact member projecting outwardly from the plate with whichit is associated, and a second exteriorly-insulated contact memberterminating one of said power source conductors and manually-separablefrom said first electrical contact member, said second contact memberbeing deeply recessed within its exterior insulation when separated fromsaid first contact member, and

thereby protecting an individual making a substitution or replacement ofsaid fixture from the possibility of harm due to arcing or electricalshock occurring while so engaged.

1. A light fixture intended for underwater use and designed to permitsubstitution or replacement thereof while submerged without deenergizingthe power source conductors while at the same time protecting theindividual making the substitution or replacement from the possibilityof arcing or electrical shock while so engaged, said fixture comprisingin combination: a lamp of elongated configuration; a generally tubularmember enclosing said lamp, said tubular member having outwardly-flaredends and being composed of a material through which a substantialproportion of the light rays emitted by said lamp may pass; pair ofplates disposed in parallel spaced-apart relationship and respectivelyclosing the flared ends of said tubular member in such a manner as toform a watertight seal, each plate of said pair having an openingtherein aligned with the axis of said elongated lamp; a pair oftriangularly-shaped flanges each having a central opening therein, saidflanges being positioned to respectively encircle the flared ends ofsaid tubular member, and with the opening in each flange beinginternally configured to conform to the surface portion of said tubularmember proximate thereto and with the minimum diameter of each flangeopening being greater than the maximum outer diameter of the flared endof the tubular member with which it is associated; a pair ofcompressible inserts respectively lying between said flanges and thesurface portion of the tubular member proximate thereto; a plurality ofthreaded rods interconnecting said plates and disposed parallel to oneanother and to the axis of said tubular member; a plurality of nutsassociated with said rods and respectively receivable thereon, whereby atightening of said nuts acts to urge said plates toward their respectiveends of said tubular member and enhance the watertight sealtherebetween; each of said rods also passing through aligned openings insaid pair of flanges; additional nuts associated with said rods andrespectively receivable thereon adjacent said pair of flanges, whereby atightening of said additional nuts compresses said inserts and urgessaid flanges toward their respective adjacent plates; a light reflectorof concave configuration located exterior to said tubular member andsupported by at least one of said threaded rods so as to extend in adirection generally parallel to that of both said lamp and to thetubular member within which such lamp is enclosed; a pair of electricalconnecting assemblies each having a portion passing through one of thealigned openings in said pair of plates so as to project into saidtubular member; a pair of adapters within said tubular member andrespectIvely carried on the inwardly-projecting ends of said connectingassemblies, each adapter of said pair having an axial opening into whichone end of said elongated lamp is receivable so as to make electricalcontract with its respective connecting assembly; each connectingassembly of said pair being made up of a first electrical contact memberprojecting outwardly from the plate with which it is associated, and asecond exteriorly-insulated contact member terminating one of said powersource conductors and manually-separable from said first electricalcontact member, said second contact member being deeply recessed withinits exterior insulation when separated from said first contact member,and thereby protecting an individual making a substitution orreplacement of said fixture from the possibility of harm due to arcingor electrical shock occurring while so engaged.